This paper discusses a systematic approach to underground ring design as well as a methodology for the continuous improvement of designs as conditions change. The methodology is applicable to designs for prefeasibility and feasibility stages as well as designs for currently producing mines. The proposed method still recognises the role of experiential guidelines but provides additional and novel empirical techniques to improve the first pass approximations such that they better suit the prevailing geotechnical conditions. The strength of this method is that the designer is able to assess the impact of the design in terms of the expected fragmentation and potential damage to the surrounding rock mass.